Identify

There are certain traits Mr. Bill says I “come by” quite honestly – family characteristics I inherited.  I really don’ think he’s referring to good looks or keen intellect!  For example, I admit I often have an inquiring mind and am prone to ask questions.  He just calls it being nosey.  Whatever!

 

When I was a teenager, we sang a song titled, “They’ll Know We Are Christians by Our Love.”   I’m not so sure the world can rightly identify Christians this way these days, but the absence of love is easily recognized!  Some fruits are out-of-season which makes picking produce a little tricky, and in the world recognizing good “fruit” as described in Galatians 5 characteristics (or fruits) of Christ -- love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, self-control.  Now, don’t figure on getting up in the morning and announcing, “I’m going to be fruitful today,” as in having only Godly traits. That will last only until you encounter the first unloving, impatient or unkind person if it lasts that long!  Skip the announcement because genuine (real) fruit of Christ is rooted in His fullness inside us: a heart-full of Jesus!  Impossible?  Not at all: “And in Him you have been made complete … “ (Colossians 2:10).  Such character traits become a showcase for Christ in our lives.  This shows the world WHO we are and TO WHOM we belong.  Christians do not suffer an identity crisis: rightly identify with Christ and bear His fruit!